Our Story – It All Began with a Meeting
In 2022, newly arrived in Canada from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. André Onema PONGOMBO carried the hope of a better life, while facing the challenges of integration like many newcomers—understanding the system, showcasing his skills, and finding his place in a new society.
01
A Life-Changing Encounter
It was at the Ottawa Mission Shelter, in the city of Ottawa, that he met an exceptional man: Mr. André Juneau LAVACHE. At over 70 years old, this Canadian elder not only offered him advice but also shared a vision — one of a Canada built on intergenerational solidarity and the transmission of knowledge, which he imparted with sincere kindness, never expecting anything in return.
03
Building bridges across cultures and generations
Encounters with Indigenous peoples in Manitoba brought a turning point. Their wisdom and sense of sharing revealed a profound truth: integration is not only about being welcomed—it is about reciprocity, exchange, and building bridges between generations and cultures.
02
Discovering Mentorship and Solidarity
Guided by his mentor, Mr. André Pongombo decided to settle in Winnipeg, Manitoba—a province he did not yet know, but which would become the cradle of his successful integration.
At the Salvation Army – Winnipeg Centre of Hope, he discovered the true value of mentorship, perseverance, and human connection.
His work with seniors at Action Marguerite also marked a key stage in his journey. By engaging daily with elders, he learned the importance of respect, listening, and living memory—values that would become central to his vision.
04
Founding CGN
Out of this human experience and gratitude was born ConnectGenerations Network (CGN); an organization that promotes mentorship, solidarity, and inclusion. Inspired by André Pongombo and supported by a team of passionate co-founders, each bringing unique expertise, they work together to structure and prepare upcoming programs and initiatives, creating positive impact in Canada while developing strategic international partnerships.
CGN embodies an ideal: to build bridges between generations and cultures to foster integration and full participation in Canadian society.
Today, ConnectGenerations Network is more than an organization—it is a model of transmission, cooperation, and social innovation. Its story illustrates the power of a single encounter, a gesture that transforms a life and inspires a movement.
Today, CGN is more than an organization—it is a model of transmission, cooperation, and social innovation.
Our Founding Team
ConnectGenerations Network was born from the shared vision of a group of dedicated community leaders committed to supporting integration, employability, and the development of immigrants in Manitoba and beyond.
Their dedication laid the foundation of a growing intergenerational and intercultural network.
Vision bearer, he initiated the creation of ConnectGenerations Network and mobilized the founding team around the organization’s social mission.
André Onema Pongombo
Founder & Visionary President
ConnectGenerations Network
Angel Woodhouse
Guides collaboration with Indigenous communities and the development of strategic alliances.
-Co Founder
Lowa Dieudonné Opombo
Contributes to the development of institutional relations and global partnerships.
-Co Founder
Didier Bukasa
Brings expertise in organizational structure, finance, and administration.
-Co Founder
Natacha Bolenga Lokwa
Provides expertise in social affairs, international governance, and community engagement.
-Co Founder
Joseph Mundala Omba
Contributes to project management and impact evaluation.
-Co Founder
Jackie Ekoko Odimba Bokwala
Advises on institutional relations and representation protocols.
-Co Founder
Francis Kamaka
Supports internal planning and coordination of activities.
-Co Founder
Philippe Nganda
Contributes to the implementation of programs and community operations.
-Co Founder
Sandryck Valuvunina
Participates in organizational structuring and project monitoring.
-Co Founder
Our Values
Intergenerational Solidarity
Our team of skilled professionals possess unmatched expertise in their respective fields, ensuring that you receive the highest level of service.
Personalized Solutions
We understand that every customer is unique, and we tailor our solutions to meet your specific needs, offering customized options that perfectly align with your goals.
Social Innovation
We encourage creativity and
fresh solutions to address challenges in integration, employment, and community life. CGN acts as a living lab for ideas and community-based initiatives.
Linguistic inclusion
True to Canada’s linguistic diversity, ConnectGenerations Network (CGN) operates in both official languages — English and French — to encourage participation from all communities and to strengthen connections across generations and cultures.
Respect and Human Dignity
We place people at the heart of our actions. Every member, mentor, partner, or participant is welcomed with kindness, listened to attentively, and treated with respect.
Responsibility and Commitment
We are dedicated to acting with transparency, integrity, and diligence. Our projects are designed for the common good and sustainability, ensuring real and measurable social impact.
Collaboration and Sharing
We believe in the strength of collective action. Together institutions, businesses, communities, and individuals—we can build a strong network where everyone contributes to a better future.
Our Vision
We envision a world where generations support one another, where cultures engage in meaningful dialogue, and where everyone finds their rightful place.
A Canada where transmission, mentorship, and solidarity become the pillars of a stronger and more compassionate society.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote social inclusion, employability, and community development through intergenerational mentoring, training, entrepreneurship, and cultural appreciation, with the goal of building communities that are more united, resilient, and prosperous.
Our Mandate
The mandate of ConnectGenerations Network (CGN) is to foster the social, cultural, and economic inclusion of immigrants, youth, and seniors through a model of intergenerational and intercultural mentorship.
CGN is committed to creating spaces for dialogue, learning, and collaboration among generations and communities, in order to strengthen social cohesion and support sustainable human and community development.
In practical terms, CGN:
In essence, CGN’s mandate is to connect generations, bridge cultures, and build lasting ties between individuals, communities, and institutions—contributing to a more united, inclusive, and prosperous Canada for all.
Our Values
Our values are the heartbeat of our mission. They guide our actions, partnerships, and relationships with the communities we serve.
🤝 Intergenerational Solidarity
We believe that every generation has something to offer and something to learn. By connecting youth, adults, and seniors, we foster knowledge sharing, mutual recognition, and social unity.
🌍 Inclusion and Diversity
This is a flexible section where you can share anything you want. It could be details or some information about feature two.
💡 Social Innovation
We encourage creativity and fresh solutions to address challenges in integration, employment, and community life. CGN acts as a living lab for ideas and community-based initiatives.
💬 Respect and Human Dignity
We place people at the heart of our actions. Every member, mentor, partner, or participant is welcomed with kindness, listened to attentively, and treated with respect.
🌾 Responsibility and Commitment
We are dedicated to acting with transparency, integrity, and diligence. Our projects are designed for the common good and sustainability, ensuring real and measurable social impact.
🔗 Collaboration and Sharing
We believe in the strength of collective action. Together—institutions, businesses, communities, and individuals—we can build a strong network where everyone contributes to a better future.
Collaboration with Indigenous Peoples
ConnectGenerations Network acknowledges that its activities take place on the ancestral lands of the Indigenous Peoples of Manitoba.
We express our deep gratitude to the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples who have cared for these lands, their knowledge, and their traditions for generations.
Our commitment is grounded in respect, listening, and co-creation. We believe that dialogue between Indigenous communities and newcomers is essential to building a more inclusive and united Canada.
CGN works to build intercultural and intergenerational bridges through:
Collaborative projects with local Indigenous organizations;
Cultural awareness and knowledge-sharing workshops
Educational initiatives that highlight Indigenous traditions, wisdom, and perspectives
Dialogue spaces connecting youth, elders, immigrants, and Indigenous community members.
We recognize that reconciliation is not a one-time event, but a continuous journey of mutual respect and shared responsibility. CGN is committed to being an active participant in this process of relationship-building—guided by the values of humility, gratitude, and community
Governance
ConnectGenerations Network is built on an inclusive, participatory, and evolving governance model that respects Canada’s two official languages (French and English). It is designed to translate our vision, mission, and values into concrete actions. This structure enables the Board of Directors, advisory committees, and committed founders to collaborate with community and international partners, while ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in decision-making..
Board of Directors
Our volunteer Board of Directors oversees CGN’s strategic vision, governance, and organizational growth. It includes community leaders, young professionals, and representatives from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Indigenous members, reflecting our commitment to diversity and intercultural collaboration.
Board Members:
• André Onema Pongombo — Chair / Presiden
• Angel Woodhouse — Vice-Chair / Vice President
• Lowa Dieudonné Opombo — Director
• Didier Bukasa — Treasurer
• Francis Kamaka — Internal Director
• Philippe Nganda — Internal Director
• Sandryck Valu — Internal Director
🏛️ Executive Office (under development)
The Executive Office will oversee daily operations and implement decisions of the Board of Directors.
Its responsibilities will include:
• Coordination of programs and activities;
• Administrative and financial management;
• Development of partnerships and communications.
It will be led by a management team including: Executive Director, Head of Development and Partnerships, Program and Project Manager, Indigenous Relations Officer, Communications and Marketing Officer, Mentorship Coordinator, and other positions as needed.
Each program will be supported by a team of specialized trainers and volunteer mentors from diverse professional backgrounds.
The management team will be established as needed to support CGN’s growth.
🌐 General Assembly (under development)
The General Assembly will bring together all founding, co-founding, active, and supporting members of CGN.
It will approve annual reports, elect board members, and participate in major strategic decisions.
💬 Advisory Committees
Role and Mission
Advisory committees will be gradually established to support the Board of Directors in specific areas:
• Mentorship and employability
• Community entrepreneurship
• Culture and inclusion
• Indigenous and intercultural relations
• Organizational and partnership development
These committees will provide a space for reflection and innovation, bringing together the expertise of members, partners, and volunteers.
Main Advisory Committee
A Main Advisory Committee coordinates the various Thematic Subcommittees:
• Indigenous & Intercultural
• Employability & Training
• International
• Youth & Leadership
• Fundraising & Community Economic Development
• Communication & Visibility
• Innovation & Technologies
Thematic Subcommittees
🌿 Indigenous and Intercultural Subcommittee
• Angel Woodhouse — Chair
• (Additional members and experts to be added)
🌍 International Subcommittee
• Lowa Dieudonné Opombo — Chair
• Natacha Bolenga Lokwa — Member
• Joseph Mundala Omba — Member
• Jackie Bokwala Odimba — Member
• (Additional members and experts to be added)
Development
Each subcommittee will be progressively strengthened with:
• Experts
• Community mentors
• International partners
🌐 General Assembly (under development)
The General Assembly will bring together all founding, co-founding, active, and supporting members of CGN.
It will approve annual reports, elect board members, and participate in major strategic decisions.
Board Members:
• André Onema Pongombo — Chair / President
• Angel Woodhouse — Vice-Chair / Vice President
• Lowa Dieudonné Opombo — Director
• Didier Bukasa — Treasurer
• Francis Kamaka — Internal Director
• Philippe Nganda — Internal Director
• Sandryck Valu — Internal Director
Many board members are also co-founders, ensuring the continuity of CGN’s vision.